WVSU - Office of the University President

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆!

To every Father, Tatay, Dad, Daddy, Papa, Itay, and father figure—today, we celebrate the strength behind every family, the wisdom behind every lesson, and the love behind every sacrifice.

You are the quiet heroes who inspire dreams, provide unwavering support, and love without conditions. Through your guidance, resilience, and devotion, you help shape lives, build communities, and transform generations.

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and father figures who lead with courage, serve with humility, and love with all their hearts.

– Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz
SUC President IV

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦: WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz during the latest President’s Hour production of WVSU and DYWV WEST TV, continuing to bring the University’s stories and milestones closer to the community.

Captured in action, the episode reflects ongoing conversations and insights from University leadership, highlighting WVSU’s continued momentum as it advances its programs and initiatives.

A continuing platform of stories, updates, and direction—President’s Hour showcases WVSU in motion.

Watch the full episode here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18MkAAMGgm/?mibextid=wwXIfr

“𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝟭𝟮𝟰 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀, 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀—𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂.”

This message from WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz set the tone for PRAISE 2026 as the University honored faculty, staff, administrators, researchers, and retirees whose dedication and service have shaped generations of Taga-WEST.

Joining the celebration was former CHED Chairperson Dr. J. Prospero “Popoy” De Vera III, who underscored the role of leadership, excellence, and service in building institutions that endure and inspire.

More than an awards ceremony, PRAISE 2026 was a tribute to the people behind WVSU’s 124-year legacy—individuals whose commitment continues to strengthen the University’s mission and transform lives through education and public service.

𝗗𝗿. 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘂𝘇 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝟵𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗿. 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗜𝗻𝗲𝘀-𝗖𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗴𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗣𝗠𝗖 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz, delivered the prestigious 9th Dr. Elena Ines-Cuyegkeng Memorial Lecture during the Annual Convention of the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges (APMC) on June 16, at the EVM Convention Center, New Era University.

In his presentation titled “Emerging Directions: Shaping a Future-Ready Roadmap for Philippine Medical Education,” Dr. Villaruz shared a forward-looking vision for medical education, emphasizing the need for innovation, adaptability, and collaboration in preparing future healthcare professionals.

The lecture formed part of the 58th APMC Annual Convention, which gathered leaders in medical education under the theme “Medical Education at the Crossroads: Which Way to Go?” The annual gathering serves as a venue for discussing emerging trends, challenges, and strategic directions in Philippine medical education.

Through his presentation, Dr. Villaruz reinforced the vital role of higher education institutions in shaping future-ready physicians and advancing excellence in medical education for the benefit of communities and the nation.

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦: A new chapter of student leadership begins as the newly elected DagYoung Student Ambassadors took their oath of office before WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz.

Administering the oath, President Villaruz underscored the ambassadors’ role as representatives of WVSU’s values and vision, carrying the University’s commitment to internationalization, cultural understanding, and global engagement.

As they assume their roles, the DagYoung Student Ambassadors embark on a shared mission of fostering global citizenship and building meaningful connections across cultures—strengthening WVSU’s presence within and beyond borders.

𝗔𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟭𝟮𝟴𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆, 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗮𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

As a University committed to Transforming Generations, we reaffirm our dedication to shaping citizens who uphold excellence, integrity, and service in building a stronger nation.

Happy Independence Day. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! 🇵🇭

“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙈𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣—𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙚, 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙪𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩.”

WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz, recalling his own journey as a former COM Dean, shared a reflective message during the College of Medicine turnover ceremonies, emphasizing the enduring responsibility of preserving the College’s mission through continuity, care, and commitment.

Outgoing Dean Dr. Victor Amantillo Jr. was recognized for his dedicated service and leadership that strengthened the College’s academic foundation, while incoming Dean Dr. Celina P. Cordero-Gellada was welcomed with full confidence and institutional support as she assumes stewardship.

The ceremony highlighted a meaningful transition grounded in gratitude, shared purpose, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence in medical education.

🐾 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗹!

Leo proudly carries the identity of the Visayan leopard cat—a rare and vulnerable species native to the mountains of Western Visayas. As the official mascot of the WEST MARALS, he represents the agility, resilience, courage, and excellence that define the Taga-West community.

More than a mascot, Leo embodies the heart, strength, and determination of every Taga-West.

As the face of the WEST MARALS, Leo stands as a symbol of WVSU’s evolving legacy and enduring mission of Transforming Generations.

Welcome, Leo the Maral!

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦: The 2026 Graduate School Commencement at West Visayas State University unfolded as a powerful celebration of excellence, purpose, and academic distinction, with WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz and CHED Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis as Guest of Honor, marking a defining moment of scholarly achievement, research advancement, and transformative education.

Chairperson Agrupis underscored a resonant truth—that education is not a cost but a lifelong investment in people and nation-building. She lauded the graduates for their dedication to advanced learning and recognized WVSU’s rising prominence as a hub of graduate education and research innovation that continues to shape future-ready professionals.

Commencement Speaker Atty. Jobert A. Peñaflorida delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking discourse on leadership as a profound responsibility—anchored in vision, strengthened by influence, and defined by the courage to make decisions that matter.

The ceremony stood as a living testament to WVSU’s enduring mission: to transform lives through education and to empower leaders who will navigate and shape a rapidly changing world.

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑻𝒂𝒈𝒂 𝑾𝒆𝒔𝒕!

As we conclude this year’s commencement exercises, I extend my deepest gratitude to the entire Taga West community.

This milestone was made possible through your collective effort, dedication, and shared commitment to excellence. WVSU continues to shine as a beacon of academic excellence because we move and succeed as one.

Thank you for your unwavering support and service. Together, we have achieved much—and will accomplish even greater milestones ahead.

With sincere appreciation,
Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz
SUC President IV
Bebong Villaruz